I Really Didn’t Mean to Play Go!
Chapter 86: A Gentle Jump

"Not a clamp?"

Su Yiming glanced at the Small Knight’s Extension at Column 14, Row 4, and couldn’t hide his surprise.

"If this were over a century ago, during the no-komi era, this move would be perfectly reasonable. But now Black is under the pressure of a 7.5-point komi..."

Even if it were him, a player from the previous era, upon learning that the komi was 7.5 points, he would choose a clamp. Whether it was a two-space or one-space clamp, it would undoubtedly be stronger and more forceful.

After all, only powerful moves like those could match the weight of the 7.5-point deficit.

But Yu Shao, a player from over a century later, chose a Small Knight’s Extension.

"So, how should I respond to this?"

As Su Yiming reached into his Go bowl, his gaze lingered on the board.

"He’s not clamping White’s stone… Should I clamp his stone on the top side?"

"In that case, wouldn’t I feel more like a player from this modern era?"

The thought amused Su Yiming.

"Or maybe…"

His eyes flickered with determination as he made his decision.

"Let’s see how you handle the weight of this 7.5-point komi!"

Tap!

Column 6, Row 16—Small Knight’s Extension!

The crowd buzzed in surprise.

"White didn’t clamp either? He chose a Small Knight’s Extension?"

"No clamp?"

Black’s Small Knight’s Extension seemed too slow. White could have exploited that by clamping Black’s stone on the top side, steering the game toward a fight and taking the initiative that Black had forgone.

Yet White mirrored Black’s choice with another Small Knight’s Extension!

Though both moves were the same in form, their implications were vastly different.

With a 7.5-point komi, Black’s move was a concession. For White, without such a burden, playing a Small Knight’s Extension came at no cost.

"Still… wouldn’t a clamp be better?"

The crowd murmured in confusion. "Sure, White’s Small Knight’s Extension is fine since Black played it first. But wouldn’t a clamp have been more aggressive?"

Among the onlookers, He Yu remained silent amidst the discussion.

"True, a clamp would have been more proactive."

"But..."

"Could it be that because Black played such a restrained Small Knight’s Extension despite the komi, White deliberately chose not to clamp?"

"Maybe Su Yiming doesn’t want to follow modern Go theories of opening play but is instead testing what kind of moves Black will make."

"If that’s the case, should we call this confidence or arrogance?"

At that moment, Black played another move.

Tap!

Column 3, Row 6—Small Knight’s Approach!

White quickly followed.

Tap!

Column 6, Row 3—Small Knight’s Extension!

No sooner had White’s stone landed than Yu Shao reached into the bowl, placing a Black stone directly next to the White Star Point.

Tap!

Column 3, Row 4—Attach!

With this move, Black and White were in direct contact, the tension in the upper-left corner suddenly spiking.

"He’s going straight for it—"

"An Attach right away?!"

The crowd was utterly stunned, staring at the board in disbelief.

Was this even Go?

White had a solid Star Point, with a supporting Small Knight’s Extension nearby. The setup was flexible and stable, making a direct Attach from Black highly unusual.

The game had only just begun, but at least half of Black’s moves had landed in unexpected spots.

Earlier, Black had played such a restrained Small Knight’s Extension, but now, in the opening phase, he boldly Attached, initiating close combat with White!

Even Su Yiming was slightly taken aback. After a brief moment of thought, he quickly responded.

Tap!

Column 3, Row 3—Hane!

Yu Shao immediately followed up with Black.

Tap!

Column 2, Row 3—Hane!

The two players began placing their stones in rapid succession, the sounds of stones landing and timers clicking overlapping as they fought fiercely in the upper-left corner.

For a moment, the audience felt a slight relief—at least they could finally comprehend the moves in this local skirmish. Otherwise, they might have genuinely questioned if this was even a Go game.

White: Column 3, Row 5—Atari!

Black: Column 2, Row 4—Connect!

...

The two played at lightning speed, almost without pausing for thought. Each move seemed to follow immediately after the other, as though both players were racing to save their time for the more complex middle game.

"They’re playing so fast I can barely keep up with their moves!"

Someone stared intently at the board, not daring to blink.

"Even though I couldn’t understand Black’s earlier opening moves, in this local fight, his skill is undeniably impressive!"

"But White’s responses are flawless, leaving no openings. In this corner, Black will likely have a hard time gaining anything!"

At this moment, Yu Shao played another move.

Tap!

Column 4, Row 6—Attach!

"A Jump?"

The crowd's eyes were glued to the board, their breaths held as they felt the sharpness and ferocity of the latest Black move.

"After Black's Attach, White responded with successive Hane moves, eventually solidifying their position. Yet, Black didn't choose a One-Space Extension. If White presses in the lower-left later, the game could stretch into a long, drawn-out battle."

A spectator, studying the board with a serious expression, muttered:

"Black, instead, played an aggressive move, pressing on the fourth line. This not only escalates an already intense situation but makes it even more complex. It’s clear Black is determined to settle the fight in the upper-left corner!"

Another nodded, licking their lips before speaking.

"If Black had chosen the One-Space Extension, the game would have eased up for both sides. But this press… it’s hard to fathom."

"Does he really believe he can gain the upper hand in this fight against White in the upper-left corner?"

"I don’t know, but if White doesn’t back down, this local skirmish in the upper-left could snowball into an avalanche, consuming the entire board!"

"Now, it all depends on how White responds."

Back in the game, Su Yiming lowered his gaze, focusing on the board.

His right hand had already picked up a white stone.

"He pressed in… I didn’t see that coming. Does he really want to settle this right here in the upper-left?"

Su Yiming couldn’t help but glance at Yu Shao, who sat across from him, calm and collected.

Then, Su Yiming raised his wrist.

In the next instant, the white stone landed on the board, like a star falling into the ocean.

Tap!

Column 2, Row 7—Peep!

"Huh?"

The crowd collectively paused, startled by the move.

"A second-line Peep?"

At first, no one could understand it, but after thinking it through, they collectively drew in sharp breaths.

"He played a Peep?!"

"Ah, I see now. With this Peep, Black has no choice but to connect. While White extends to the left, this move simultaneously targets the Black stone hanging in the corner."

"Exactly. If Black extends later, White can counter with a Second-Line Attach and Cut. This Peep carries profound intent. If it were me, I’d never think of it!"

"Faced with Black’s sharp press, White didn’t shy away. Instead, he responded with equal force, launching a counterattack!"

"Black must be in trouble now. That aggressive press left him vulnerable to this Peep. He’ll have no choice but to connect."

Contrary to everyone’s expectations, however, Yu Shao remained calm, his expression unwavering.

Without even a second’s hesitation—as if he’d anticipated this—he swiftly picked up a black stone. His move was executed with the speed and intensity of thunder.

The stone landed on the board.

Tap!

Column 3, Row 8—Jump!

With this single move, the murmuring crowd fell silent, the whispers vanishing into a deep, profound stillness.

...